LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 5 



$ 

UNITED STATES OP AMERICA.! 



HISTORICAL OUTLINE 



LOWER CALIFORNIA, 



COMPILED BY 



J^COB I>. LEE8E. 

M 



NHW YORK, DECEMBER, 1865. 



|l«to fork J 

K 8. BODGE & CO., BOOK AND JOB PRINTEE8, 84 JOHN STREET. 



1866. 



a-. 




/ 






The undersigned, having obtained a grant from the Mexican 
Government of such part of the Territory of Lower California as 
lies between lI4^' !20" and ol" north latitude, containing five thous- 
and two hundred square leagues, or forty-six thousand eight hun. 
dred square miles of land, has formed a company for the purpose 
of colonizing and developing the Territory. 

The following brief account of the geography, climate, agricul- 
tural and mineral resources of the Territory is derived either from 
authentic manuscripts of former travellers or from my own observsr 
tion, and is entirely reliable. 

JACOB P. LEESE. 



Hernando Oortes, having vanquished, though not subjugated, 
the Aztec nation, looked towards the western shores of the new 
world, and, amid his dreams of glory, saw in the horizon, clouds, 
which like those that indicate to the mariner the proximity of land, 
gave him assurance that from their midst might yet emerge another 
Tenoxtitlan. In the year 1534, two vessels, built by his orders in 
the Sea of Tehuantepec, explored the waters of the Pacific, and 
discovered the Gulf and land of Lower California. The Gulf was 
called the Sea of Ooetes, afterwards the Vermillion Sea, now more 
commonly the Gulf of California. His first anchorage was made 
at a shallow cove on the gulf side, in front of the Island of Cerralvo, 
(latitude 24° 15".) Without knowing its extent or form, he took 
possession of the main land in the name of the King, and called it 
Santa Cruz. 

After the lapse of one hundred and sixty-three years from its 
discovery by Coetes, Father Jitan Makia. de Salvatieeka, accom- 
panied by Admiral Otando, took possession of and colonized the 
peninsula.. On the 19th day of October, 1697, they landed at the 
Bay of San Bruno ; but not deeming this place suitable for their 
purposes, sailed fifteen miles further north, to the place now called 
Loreto. Loreto, called from the Virgin Loreto, is situated in north 
latitude 25° Bo", on a bay surrounded by land in the form of a 
semi-circle. The land is covered with verdure and undergrowth 
timber, and well watered. It afterwards became the capital of the 
whole peninsula. 

In a manuscript book used by Father Salvatiekra for the entry 
of the baptisms and marriages of the Indians at the Mission of 
Loreto, from October 1, 1701, may be found the following note 
made by Father Fray Junipero Serra, at the time of his taking 
possession of the Mission, April 2, 1768 : 



6 

[tbanslation.] 

" Holy 8aU(rday, April 2, 1768. 
" We are now in this mission and royal presidio of Loreto, the 
"capital of this peninsula of Lower California, sixteen religious 
"priests and apostolic missionaries of the Seraphic Order of the 
"College of ^ Fide Propuaganda,'' of the College of 'San Fernando 
" of Mexico,' sent by our prelates to serve as ministers for all the 
"naissions of this peninsula which were placed under the charge 
" of our said apostolical College in the name of his Catholic Majesty, 
' (whom may God guard,) by decree of his excellency the Marquis 
" of Croix, Viceroy and Captain- General of this new Spain. 
■^Z' In March, 1 77 7j^ Father Nicholas TAMAiiAL, appointed to the 
" projected missions, arrived at Loreto with orders to Father Saiva- 
" tierea from the new Viceroy, Marquis of Valero. The Marquis 
" desired a personal interview with Father Salvaxiebra at the 
" Capital of Mexico, for the purpose of eliciting all possible inform- 
" ation regarding CaKfornia. Despite his age and infirmities, the 
* ' good Father, anxious to protect the interests of his missions, 
"leaving Father Urgarte in charge, started March 81st on his 
"long and tedious journey, accompanied by Brother Bravo. On 
"the ninth day of his journeying he landed at Matachel, (now San 
"Bias,) and thence he travelled on horseback to Topic. There, 
" being attacked by a severe gravel complaint to which he was 
'• subject, he was obliged to be carried on a palaquin to GuadaJa- 
"jara, where he became dangerously ill. Seeing his last end 
"approaching, he solemnly confided to Brother Bhavo the business 
" which had induced him to undertake his journey to Mexico, and 
" directed him to write the missionaries in California that he hoped, 
"through the mediation of those who had been converted to the 
«* true faith through his labors, and had preceded him to Heaven, 
"• to secure the aid and protection of the Almighty for that country. 
So departed the s})irit of this illustrious and worthy man, on 
"the 17th day of July, 1717, in the seventy-first year of his age. 
*' His remains were placed in a cofiin and deposited behind the 
" altar in the Chapel of our Lady of Loreto in Guadalajara, of 
"which he was the founder " 



OF THE Mlt^SIONS, AND BY WHOM FOUNDED. 



LORETO. 



Loreto is situated on the margin of the Gulf, in north latitude 
25" H^'", about the center of Dionisius' Cove, (formed by the Ooro- 
nados Islands on the north and the Carmen Island on the south.) 
The land is level, and very desirable for a settlement. Eighteen 
miles south there is another harbor called "Concealed Peak," 
which though narrow at its entrance, aifords a safe anchorage in all 
seasons of the year for the largest vessels. It is about three miles 
in circumference, surrounded by a rocky, craggy bluff, and inter- 
sected here and there by deep and narrow gulches, and well 
timbered. It was formerly used by the Spanish as a concealed 
magazine. The remains of the old buildings are yet standing. In 
the interior, some thirty miles west and north of Loreto, are found 
silver, lead, flint and copper. Fruits of all descriptions are raised 
in gx-eat abundance. The oranges of Loreto, a species of the 
mandarin orange, though larger in size, are especially valued in all 
the Mexican ports, and are preferred to any others raised on that 
coast. 

MISSION MULEGE. 

Mission Multjge, in north latitude 27", was founded by Father 
Basaldua in November, 170.5. It is distant about two miles from 
the gulf, on the edge of a plain at the foot of a mountain which 
rises westward The plain is about twenty miles in extent, well 
timbered, and affording plenty of pasture. A stream courses 
through it, about three miles in length at high tide, and navigable 



8 

for vessels of twenty tons for two miles, up to the old settlement. 
The old settlement was abandoned in 1815 by the few remaining 
inhabitants, who were compelled to leave, as the government made 
it a depot for exiles sent from Sonora and Sinaloa. 



MISSION COMONDU. 

Mission Comondu, in north latitude 25 " 'dO". was founded by 
Fathers Salvatieeka, Ugakte and GttillerinI'; de Materga, in 1708. 
It is situated at the head waters oi the north-eastern arm of the 
Bay of Magdalena, on the Paoijic comt., at the foot of a rooky caiion 
opening to the west, about forty miles from the Harbor of Magda- 
lena. Here there is quite a settlement, composed principally of 
American and English sailors. They are chiefly occupied in 
capturing the whales which make their appearance in this harbor 
from the north about the month of December, give birth to their 
young, and leave for the north about the month of April. Their 
mode of capturing these animals is almost certain, though extremely 
dangerous to any not adepts. When the M^hale is found with its 
young, (called the calf,) the calf is first killed, being readily cap- 
tured. The mother will not leave her young, but hunts till she 
finds it, gets bewildered, and frequently throws it out of water to 
the height of twelve or fifteen feet ; becoming exhausted, she falls 
an easy prey to her pursuers. The bay, during the last thirty 
years, (it was known to but few before that time,) has been visited 
yearly by about eight vessels. The proceeds of each season are 
estimated at 180,000 gallons of oU. The settlers, in all about one 
hundred and forty souls, obtain a comfortable living from the 
employment given them by their annual visitors, the whalers, and 
are supplied by them with all necessary clothing. They cultivate 
orchards of fruit, make sugar and molasses from the cane they 
raise, and brandy and ^vine from the grapes which grow in great 
abundance. 



MISSION OF SAN JAVIER, 

In north latitude 2;")", was founded by Father Picolo, March 10, 
1698, and built by Father Miguel del Parco in 1 7n7. It is a vaUey 
of good land, four leagues in extent. 

MISSION SANTA GERTRUDIO, 

In north latitude 29", founded in 1750 by Fathers Conway and 
Fernando Retzi, (ttie latter a German Jesuit,) is situated twenty- 
six miles from San Ignacio. It possesses an excellent well of water, 
and though lacking in agricultural lands, abounds in mineral 
wealth. The buildings are in an excellent state of preservation. 
The silver ornaments werei made for this mission by a practical 
miner and silversmith, Hernandez, and bear his name. 

MISSION SAN IGNACIO, 

In north latitude 2S'', was founded in 1728 by Father Juan 
Maria de Lugabdo, a Mexican Jesuit. It is situated in a valley, 
through which a large creek runs east by south, emptying into a 
lake about six miles in extent, and irrigating the land, which is 
well adapted tor cultivation. The buildings are in a good state of 
preservation, and part of them are occupied by an old gentleman 
and his family by the name of Venturo Arce. It is a charming 
site for a town, and about nine miles from a good harbor on the 
Pacific coast, called fcan Bertolomo. The volcano of "Los Vir- 
giues" is in sight. The mountains abound in gold quartz, veins 
and sulphates of copper. 

MISSION SAN BORJO, 

In north latitude 29'^, was founded in 1762 by Father Wenceslao 
LiMK, a u itive of Boheinia. It is situated about fifteen miles from 



10 

the gulf, opposite the Island of "Los Angelos de la Guarda." The 
land is well watered, and adapted to pastural, though not agricul- 
tural purposes. The mountains are full of minerals and good gold 
placer diggings. There are a few Indians living here, two of whom 
were the original founders-— Melchok and Teeesa, his wife. The 
husband has attained the great age of one hundred and eight years, 
and his wife that of one hundred and four years. They take great 
pride in showing to all visitors the book of registry containing the 
entry of their births, which they have carefully preserved. The 
mission was robbed of all its silver ornaments in 1 849, by emigrants 
on their wa,y to Upper California. 



MISSION SANTA MARIA, 

In north latitude -93^^', was founded in 1767 by Father Yictoria.vo 
Aruls. It is about thirty miles from the gulf, and sixty miles fiom 
San Borja. It has a stream of good water, and a harbor on the 
gulf side known as San Philipe de Jesus. At the harbor the lands 
are covered with a heavy growth of good timber, yellow pine, 
cedar, rosewood and acacia. The mission was abandoned by the 
whites from the hostility of the Indians. 

MISSION ROSARIO, 

In north latitude 30'^, was founded by Father Manuel Eodektgues 
in 1782. It is about two miles from the head waters of a large 
bay, called by some Seameron's Lagoon, and about sixteen miles 
from the Pacific coast ; a small but charming valley, covered with 
verdure, with a fine spring of water in its center. The country 
between the two last missions is said to abound in mineral wealth, 
but rough and rugged and little explored. The Indians, always 
hostile to the miners, have been almost exterminated diiring the 
last two years (1^6:5 and 1861) by the small-pox. 



11 



MISSION SANTA CATARINA, 

In north latitude 81° 3'^", is situated on a plain known as San 
Vincent Ferrer, about fifteen leagues from the Colorado River. 
The agricultural lands are extensive, and the country weU timbered. 
This mission was founded in 1795, and abandoned and completely 
destroyed in 1835, probably by the Indian tribes on the Coloradp 
who were very numerous at the time of its first settlement. 



MINERAL RESOURCES. 



The mining interests in Lower (California, now about being 
developed, have been up to this time entirely neglected, owing to 
the strong opposition of the missionaries, who urged that the 
miners, mostly taken from the very dregs of society, would intro- 
duce disorder and bad habits — 'in a word, all the vices unknown to 
the settlers. 

The mineral wealth of the territory has been in fact scarcely 
known, as the country has been never fully explored, and was 
almost abandoned for years. 

Under this head, I shall r.^ate only what came under the per- 
sonal observation of Don Ramox Navakko. This gentleman was 
commissioned under the Reform Laws, by the Mexican Government, 
February o, IS62, and directed to visit all the missions of the 
territory as far north as San Borja, and to take possession of all 
the manuscripts and " antiques" deemed useful for the history of 
Mexico, or as objects of curiosity for its museum. He was also 
instructed to make special investigation of all the lands susceptible 
of cultivation, and of all the mineral resources of the territory. 



12 

[translation.] 

"After a ten days' voyage on the national brig Lupita, he 
" arrived February 14, 1862, at Mulege, where he obtained animals 
" and other necessaries for his journey. Thence he proceeded by 
"land to the mission of San Ignacio, a distance of about thirty-one 
" leagues through the mountains. Five leagues from Mulege he 
"reached the plains of La Magdalena, a beautiful valley, eighteen 
"leagues in circumference, the site of the Jesuit mission of that 
" name. North of the plain is the place called Eondin, where are 
"yet to be seen the marks of orchards and gardens. Here, too, 
" the remains of an aqueduct, which the lapse of so me.ny years 
"has not yet destroyed, still exist. It is built of stone and cement, 
" and must have been a work of great merit in its day. It runs 
" along a rugged and steep mountain, and was supplied from the 
" E-ondin Creek. In the center of this plain, near the road at the 
" carion of the mountain, stand the ruins of a reservoir, nearly two 
" hundred and fifty feet in height, whence the land was irrigated ; 
" producing, as Father Clavigero said, coffee, tobacco, grapes, oran- 
^' ges, figs, pomegranates, dates, and all kinds of grain. 

"In a word, each and every thing appertaining to the kingdom 
'• of Lower California, has been the result of long and patient work, 
" initiated one hundred and sixty years ago (when the last men- 
"tioned mission was founded). Before that time Nature ruled 
*' supreme. The various and continuous political dissensions which 
" have destroyed the vitality of the republic, have caused the aban- 
" donment of all the improvements of the territory. By a decree 
" of August 17, 1823, nine missions were suppressed and abandoned 
" in consequence of the settlements of Upper California. 

"The architecture of the churches of the mission, is of the San 
"Javier order, and the buildings are still in a good state of preser- 
"vation. Their silver ornaments and oil paintings have been 
" delivered to the Bishop of the diocese. The libraries contain 
^' nothing but moth-eaten works. There are, however, some very 
"interesting registers of births, marriages and baptisms, which 
"have been in the possession of the Missions of Purisima, Santa 
''Maria, Santa Gertrudio and San Borja, since their foundation. 



13 

"The temperature is mild and extremely healthy, in conse- 
' quence of the peculiar geographical position of the land. The 

* Sea of Cortes lying on the east, and the Pacific on the west, a 
' light breeze from the east prevails in the morning, and from the 
' west in the afternoon, making it a delightful and healthy climate. 
' The termination of the peninsula, at the Cape of San Lucas, is in 
' 23*^ north latitude, and extends north to latitude 32"-' ; its average 
' width is about ninety miles. 

" The minerals of San Ignacio district are mainly auriferous ; 
'but marble and alabaster of three kinds are found in immense 
' stratas on the gulf side of the Santa Maria Creek, facing the 
' Island of Santa Marcus, only three miles from the landing. A 
' ro9,d can easily be built from the quarries to the landing, as the 
'country is perfectly level, and no obstructions of any account 
' intervene. There are also in the same vicinity, as the Supreme 
' Government is informed, an island of solid mass of gypsum, and 
' a mountain of sulphur. 

" The ridge of mountains in the vicinity of Santa Gertrudes, is 
' crossed by metaliferous veins containing different sulphurets, 
' copper being the most abundant. Plenty of good pasture is to 
' be found among the mountains. 

" The Mapimi Moimtain, four leagues distant from Santa Ger- 

* trude, is also crossed by many metaliferous veins. The land is 
'auriferous, (called by the miners * tfeperaguay,') and is easily 
' worked. Many of the low hills in this vicinity are crossed in all 
' directions by gold-bearing quartz veins, and are worked by the 
' few Indians living there, yielding from four to five ounces to the 
'cargo (300 lbs.) Two Indians, the only inhabitants of San 
'Borjas, pretend that on the Big Creek, near the Port of Los 
•Angelos, they find the paint for their faces, which we should 
' judge was Vermillion ; and that in former times this place was 
' visited by large bodies of Indians from the Colorado. 

" At Los Cabras there are also several veins of argentiferous 
"ores, in which the sulphurets of silver and lead prevail. 



14 • 

"The Port of Trinidad is about nine leagues south-west of 
' Santa Gertrude, and has a large and excellent anchorage. The 
' entrance of its harbor is wide, sheltered from, all prevailing winds, 
* and from seven to ten fathoms deep. The exportation of the rich, 
' auriferous quartz, found within thirteen leagues of the coast, 
' would certainly be profitable, as the oust of extracting, transport- 
'ing and shipping would be small. There would of course be 
' some obstacles to surmount at the outset from, the scarcity of the 
' population. 

"On the 18th of May, having finished the work for which we 
' were commissioned by the Grovernment, the result of which is 
' hereby reported, we returned in the brig Refugio^ and present this 
' report as directed. 

" Liberty and Reform. 

"La Paz, April 14. 1862. 

(Signed) "RAMON NAVARRO." 



PEARL FISHERIES. 

In spite of the caprices of Fashion, and the perfection to which 
the art of imitating thera has been carried, pearls have always 
occupied, from the most remote times, a high position among arti- 
cles of luxury. History records that as Industry and Art won the 
primitive races from their nomadic style of living, pearls became 
an article of the commerce which arose am^ong them. The Bahrem. 
Islands were probably the first ever explored for pearls. The fol- 
lowing extract from the "History of the Discovery of the New 
World," will show the estimation of pearls in the sixteenth century, 
and the demand for them among the nobility of the European and 
Asiatic courts : 

" Christopher Columbits asks gold from the earth, and pearls 
"from the sea. Almost disheartened by the machinations and 



15 

'' intrigues of liis enemies, he was still zealous in maintaining the 
" interests of the Spanish Court, and the advantages to be derived 
"by the Spanish Government i'rom a conquest which promised 
"untold riches so easily to be acquiied. He was therefore rejoiced 
"at the sight of the pearl necklaces which the natives of the 
" Caribbean Sea presented to him, and which he sent to his protec- 
'' tress, the Queen Isabella. The Indians, on being asked whence 
*'they obtained the pearls wliich adorned the breasts, noses and 
"ears of their Sqnaw's, turning their backs to the Atlantic ()cean 
" and pointing to the horizon in the direction of a chain of high 
"mountains, said- -' Beyond that.' But Columbus died in igno- 
' -ranee of the form of that continent, which he l^elieved to be the 
" eastern extremity of Asia ; and it was reserved for other more 
" fortunate navigators to discover and profit by the discovery of the 
" submarine treasures of the Caribbean Sea, the Bay of Panama 
" and the Gulf of CaHfornia " 

Historians relate that Coetes and his companions found among 
the treasures of Montezuma, great quantities of pearls, but none 
of them say whence they were obtained. It may be inferred from 
their silence that they were bought from the traders and fishers on 
the western coast between Acupulco and San Bias. As the Califor- 
nia pearls were unknown to the Court of the g]-eat Tenoxitlan, and 
were not much valued by the Californians themselves, the earliest 
fisheries were the origin of rapid fortunes to the pearl fishers of 
Sonora and Sinaloa, who during the one hundred and sixty years 
from the discovery of the peninsula and Father Salv.vtikbea's 
expedition, sought for them among the islands, gtdfs, bays and 
ports of the eastern side of the gulf, compelling the Yaqui and 
Mayo Indians to work for them. The missionaries forbade, under 
severe penalties, the mariners and soldiers in the service of the 
mission to fish for pearls ; but this prohibition was abrogated in 
1768, when most of the Jesuits were exiled. Galvez made the first 
regulation concerning pearl fisheries, and charged the Captain 
Governor of Loreto with its execution. The duty of twenty per 
cent, imposed upon pearls, as belonging to the articles classified a? 



IG 

precious stones, was paid up to 11^8;"). The business of pearl diving 
is now charged with an exportation duty of twenty-five per cent. 
on each one hundred pounds of shell. (Decreed April 28, 1855.) 
The season for ^learl diving begins in May and lasts until about the 
end of October — that is, during the warm months, and while the 
sea is transparent. The fisheries are divided into three sectionB — 
the northern one, Mulege ; the center one, Loreto ; the southern one, 
La Pa%. From Mulege boats start for Conception Bay and Santa 
Ines Point. The best fisheries in this section are at Guadalupe, 
Las Hornillas, Santa Domingo, Amolares, Pocitos, Manglito and 
Punta Ines. 

Prom Loreto boats sail to the Islands of Carmen, Coronado 
Monserrete, Danzantes, Pvierta Eseondido, Islotes, San Bruno and 
Arroyo Hondo. 

Those from La Paz sail south for Cubu Plumo, (the last south- 
ern fishery,) thence north to Las Tinas, Punta Arenas, El Medano, 
Boca de la Salina, Tepetates, Ventana, El Pozo, Eosario, Coyote, 
Caval de San Juan, Nerjomucevo, Esperitor Santo and San Jos6. 

The business of pearl diving in 1855, of which an exact account 
was kept, employed twenty-five companies having three hundred 
and sixty-eight divers, eleven small schooners, nine boats and fifty 
canoes. The capital invested did not exceed $25,000. The results 
were as follows : — 

69(*,000 pounds of shell, valued at 6 cents, . . $41,000 00 

The pearls obtained from the shell sold for 23,800 00 

Amoimt, $64,800 00 

Deduct original outfit 25,000 00 

Net profit, $39,800 00 

Father Clavijeeo in his manuscript says that Don Manuel de 
Ozio, a discharged soldier from the presidio of Loreto, and at that 
time the wealthiest man in California, obtained in the years 1742 
and 1743, four hundred pounds of pearls, but does not state their 
value. In another manuscript is found the following : 

" When pearls were first discovered, about the end of the six- 
'* teenth century, many of the inhabitants of New GaHcia, Culiacan 



17 

'^ and Sinaloa made fortunes by diving for them. Don Manuel de 
" Ozio, a soldier, son-in-law of the Captain Grovernor of California, 
" obtained his discharge and went to New Galioia. He there invest- 
" ed all his capital in purchasing a ship, obtaining divers and every- 
" thing required for pearl fishing. The first year he increased his 
"facilities, and the following year obtained one hundred and 
"twenty seven pounds of pearls; which though a good result, did 
"not compare with that of the year 1744. By this means he 
" acquired a large fortune." 

COPY OF A REPORT 

Showing the Impokts aoid Exports during the Year 1857, 
according to the official data. 

Foreign goods imported, amounted to _ .$ (i8,00() 00 

Domestic goods " " "-- 50,000 00 

1118,01)0 00 
TEEEITOEIAL EXPORTS. 

Hides, 13,000 pieces, valued @ 25c. |82,f)00 00 

Salt, -2,000 tons.--- 12,000 00 

Cneese, 100,000 lbs., @ Sets., 8,0i)0 00 

Dried Meat, 11,0()0 lbs., 060 00 

Brown Sugar,... 28,500 lbs., @ I2i cts., 109S0 00 

Dried Figs, ..82,500 lbs 1,300 00 

Raisins, 28,500 lbs., 2,200 00 

Soap, 2,610 lbs, 2610 00 

Wine, - .54 bbls., -.:.- . 540 00 

Dates, 20,000 lbs., 1200 00 

Oranges, 22,000 M., 220 00 

Salt Fish,-- -.1,150 lbs., 69 00 

Brazil Wood, 150 tons, - --. 3,000 00 

SilverOres, .,250 tons, cost, 5,000 00 

Silver 2,000 marks, _- 16,000 00 

Gold, 80 ounces, 1,120 00 

Tortoise Shells, 300 1bs,-.- 6,000 00 

Pearls, Value, -_ 21,750 00 

Mother of Pearl (Concha), 495,700 lbs., @ 6 cts., 29,742 00 

Total amount of exports, . _ _ - $154,891 00 



18 

It can safely be said, though positive data are not now at hand 
to prove the assertion, that the imports and exports during the last 
three years have increased to ten times the amonnt mentioned in 
the foregoing report, in consequence of the enormous discoveries 
of mineral wealth which have lately attracted the notice of the 
miners and capitalists of the Pacific coast. 



Copy of a Letter to the "Alta Californian." 

OUR LETTER FROM LA PAZ, LOWER CALIFOR- 
NIA. 



(From th(> K,csiJ(!nt Cori';'s;i(jncli-iit of the Alta.] 



La Paz, February 17th, 1865. 

THE CESSION QUESTION. 

Editors Alta ; Lower California, for its geographical position ; 
for its numerous spacious bays and safe harbors ; for its mineral 
wealth ; for its salubrious climate, and being as it is, the key to the 
outlet of the Colorado basin, is worth millions to the United States. 
How, then can pur Government tamely submit to see it pass into 
the possession of France ? Have we not claims against Mexico, the 
payment of which are more just and longer delayed than those put 
forth by France, and brought on by ner own aggressions ? What 
Florida is to the Gulf of Mexico and the Mississippi River, is, and 
more necessary, too, the peninsula of Lower Calitornia to our com- 
mercial prosperity in the Pacific Ocean. 

BAY OF MAGDALENA. 

Few persons in California are aware of the importance and extent 
of the Bay of Magdalena, its safe and easy entrance, its numerous 



arms and lagoons, comprising hundreds of miles of inland naviga- 
tion, with wealth enough swimming in its waters to employ a large 
population, thousands of whales yearly bring forth their young upon 
its banks ; millions of turtle lay their eggs npon its shores, while its 
prolific waters teem with myraids upon myraids of every class of 
fish. 



THE GULF COAST SHORE. 

The gulf coast of the Peninsula, from La Paz in latitu<ie 24, to 
San Luis in latitude 80, is indented with numerous safe bays and 
harbors. Neither is lower California the dry and barren country it 
has credit for being. There are many places where grain could be 
raised with proper cultivation. Since August we have had occa- 
sional showers, and now the grass is quite green and abundant. 
The necessity for steam machinery to pump our mines proves that 
the hills are not without a good supply of water. Besides the moun- 
tain streams, that sink in the loose soil as they reach the sandy flats, 
we have many fine springs Those at San Jose and Todos Santos 
irrigate thousands of acres. In the large valleys of South San Bruno 
and Magdelena, the latter near Molega, there are evidences of exten- 
sive fields having formerly been cultivated, and probably without 
irrigation, as the soil is always moist, and water can be found but 
a few feet from the surface. The climate is favorable for the culti- 
vation of cane and maize, and oranges, dates, olives, tigs, and the 
vine, thrive as well as in any part of the world. Cotton is indi- 
genous, and as to the climate nothing can be more delicious than 
the temperature from October to June, July, August and September. 
Although warm in the day, the nights are cool and comfortable. 

ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 

The most important interest of the peninsula is its mineral wealth, 
and the convenience of most of the mines to the seaboard materially 
enhance their value. Of the numerous companies formed, many ha^e 
been unsuccessful, but not for the want of good veins or rich ore ; 



20 

they were created at the time of greatest excitement in 8ah Fran- 
cisco, when the formation of a company was considered of more 
importance than the possession of a paying ledge. Probably half 
have caved in from this cause ; of those remaining, and who really 
have good veins, there are many that were only formed for specu- 
lative purposes —they manage to keep a superintendent and a couple 
of men employed. If a person knowing the value of the property 
buys stock, he soon comes to the conclusion that the assessments and 
proceeds of the metal taken out disappear so rapidly, without any 
apparent development or prospect of future benefit to the mine, that 
he abandons his stock. These companies never intend to develop 
their mines — probably some parties make something out of them. 

COMPANIES AT WORK. 

The Mexican Company, now in operation about six years, and 
working the mines of San Pedro and San Nicolas, was the first com- 
pany formed to work mines in Lower California. Mr. Flores, the 
able Superintendent, entered upon his duties furnished with a letter 
of credit for |5,000, and which enabled him to make a shipment to 
Freyburg of 300 tons of ore against which he di-ew to replace his 
funds. The stockholders have never paid any assessments, and now 
divide from sixty to seventy thousand dollars annually. The ore 
averages about $150 to the ton. Neither mine has been worked 
more than thirty feet below the surface, and but few men are ever 
employed. The pay rock is from two to ten feet in thickness. 

THE TRIUNFO COMPANY. 

The owners of these mines. Carmen, Mendozena & Valenciana, 
have spent about $100,000 to open their mines and build their mill, 
and are now working $100 rock. They were particularly fortunate 
in the selection of their superintendent, Alexander McElvoy, Esq., 
who, arriving here when there was no wagon road from the coast, 
and no teams to haul his mp.chinery, had many difficulties to con- 
tend against enough to discourage a less energetic and persevering 
man. The Company had sant down an incompetent metallurgist, 



21 

■who, when the mill comnieneed operations, failed to extract the 
silver, a less determined man would have hesitated to interfere with 
a distinct department. Fortunately, in San Antonia was Mr. Young- 
john, a Freyburg graduate. Judge McElroy mounted his horse, 
rode to San Antonia, met Mr. Youngjohn and asked him, ''Can you 
beneficiate our metals?'' The rei)ly was "yes." "Then come to 
Triunfo, Iwant you." The result was a splendid success, the news 
of which, in a few days, went to San Francisco, perhaps saving from 
ruin more than one stockholder. 



OTHEE MINES, ETC. 

The Peninsula and Santa Cruz companies both appear to be 
pushing their work along with a determination to develop their 
mines. Both have steam pumps in operatiou. The Santa Cruz are 
shipping about one hundred tons by every steamer. The Peninsula 
have not yet struck their vein, but having drained the old works 
will soon take metal therefrom. 

The Marin Company are ready with their furnace and a fom- 
stamp mill, and expect to send by next steamer about five thousand 
dollars. A number of other mines are getting into operation, some 
owned by new companies formed in New York. 

Our peninsula is rich in other minerals besides gold, silver and 
copper ; we have abuu dance of iron ore, of the finest quality, con- 
venient to the seaboard, and pacing as high as seventy-five per cent 
Yeins of black oxide of maganese, beds of alum, asphaltum, sulphur, 
gypsum and alabaster : pearls in the sea ; fish in boundless shoals, 
and whales visit our bays and harbors on both shores annually. If 
with all these sources of wealth, our unsurpassed climate, and the 
advantage of our geographical position. Lower California is not 
worth looking after, why then I suppose we must slide over to 
Napoleon, Gwin, etc. 

A large majority of the native population are opposed to the 
French and intervention, but aU parties would hail the prospect of 
the peninsula becoming a part of the Uniterl States. 



■22 

We were shown a very rich specimen of silver ore, a few days 
since, from the " La Libertad" silver mine, located in the Cacahillas 
District, Lower California and distant some six miles from Vetana 
Bay and sixteen miles from La Paz, This mine was purchased 
about two years ago by Col. Leese, from a Mexican who Had taken 
from the croppings upwards of S90,0no. A cojiipany was formed in 
this city about eighteen months ago, to work the claim which con- 
sists of 2t)22 feet. A tunnel has been cut at right angles to the 
main lode, on the water level, 200 feet in length, with a good air 
shaft. A spur of excellent ore has been struck in the tunnel about 
20 feet from the main lead, from which the specimen above alluded 
to was taken as a sample, and which, assayed by Messrs Riehn & 
Hemme, was found to contain at the rate of $3,961.77 in silver, and 
$43.32 in gold or $4,005..'54 to the ton of 2,000 pounds. The speci- 
men, until after the assay, was not considered of extraordinary 
richness, being taken as a mere average specimen of the vein. As 
the Mexican law allows rough metal to be exported from Lower 
California, the product of this mine can all be forwarded to Swansea 
at a small expense, and if the main lead is of the same character as 
the spur in the tunnel, the La Libertad will be one of thf^ richest 
mines in the world. .^ 

The grant referred to in the preface under which it is proposed 
to colonize the peninsula of Lower California, is hereto appended, 
for the information of parties desirous of investigating its merits or 
legality ; also the conveyance from the grantee, imder which a com- 
pany has been organized. 



AGENCY OF FOMENTO OF LOWER CALIFORNIA. 

Seal of the second class, for the bieiio (two years) of 1 8<v2 and 
1868. 

Seiior Agent of Fomento of Lower California. .Jacob P. Leese, 
and Santiago Viosco, citizens of the United States of North 
America, the first a ranchero, and a resident of the city of Mon- 



23 

terey, in Uppei' Oalifornia, and the second a merchant and a resi- 
dent of this city, represent to your Honor, through the medium of 
the present petitioa, that being impressed with the imperious 
necessity which the Country has, in order to promote its advance- 
. ment and improvement, to encourage by all means possible, an 
emigration composed of worthy and industrious artizans ; this being 
the source of the im.provement and progress of every country, and 
especially of one so sparsely inhabited as this. In consideration 
of the foregoing,- and with the object of cultivating a large portion 
of the vacant lands of the Territor^y , as well also to establish in the 
same one or more colonies, and settle them with such a number of 
families and industrious and worthy persons as may be necessary 
to carry out the object proposed, relying upon the belief that your 
Honor would give your approbation to the laudable end proposed, 
they have formed, in the City of San Francisco, of Upper California, 
a Company of Empresarios, composed of the Messrs. Samuel J. 
Hensley, agriculturalist, Samual Brannan, proprietor, John Pairott, 
banker, A. B. Forbes, haciendado, Henry E. Robinson, agricultui'alist, 
S. W. Inge, lawyer, E. Wakeman, captain of steamer, W. Norris, 
miner, John Sime, banker, John Caperton, agriculturalist, Jesse 
Holladay, merchant, Louis McLane, banker, J. W Winans, law- 
yer, and John H. Ba-rd, merchant, all citizens of the United States, 
and residents of that city (San Francisco). 

Of the reality and representation of the persons composing the 
Company, your Honor is well assured by the very similar petition 
which the said gentlemen themselves presented to the Territorial 
Government, which petition, for want of conformity to the estab- 
lished laws, was returned to them; this being the reason why this 
petition is made, endeavoring by these means to avoid the difH- 
culties which might be occasioned by delay, in case they were re- 
quired to go to San Francisco for the purpose of reforming the 
same, being able to give every assurance that they are fully author- 
ized to make use of the names of the persons represented. 

The Company has already associated a largo number of Colon- 
ists, some with families, and some without any. the total number 



24 

of which will exceed that which your Honor may think proper to 

designate, in the concession which is sought to be obtained. 

Said colonists are industrious, active and robust citizens of the 
United States, and are by profession laborers, artizans and operat- 
ives, who are ready to change their residence, with the view of 
improving and cultivating the lands referred to by the petitioners, 
which colonists, besides the advantages derived from the fruits of 
their labor, and the increase of the population which they will 
produce, by their good example, wiU stimulate, in the othe; in- 
habitants of the country, a desire to imitate them, and will create, 
from the lands settled and fertilized by them, a fountain of com- 
naerce and riches for the nation, and a powerful barrier against the 
incursions and depredations of any hostile force, operating also as 
a school of civilization, not only for the few aborigines of that 
region, at present so sparsely populated, but even for those that 
are found in the scattered missions which have for a long time 
existed without prosperity ; and the petitioners flatter themselves, 
in the certainty they feel, that the indefatigable efforts of these 
colonists will produce the most beneficial results, as well as regards 
the projected colonization, as to advantages of much importance to 
this Territory. 

All of these reasons have induced the petitioners to encourage 
the foregoing project of colonization, which, at the same time, will 
be productive of so much benefit to the Territory, and, generally, 
to the Supreme Grovernment of the Republic. These reasons, as 
well as those of personal interest, are those that have influenced 
them to ask your Honor to be pleased to concede to them, in con- 
sideration of their colonizing the lands conceded, under the con- 
ditions and of the extent that may be determined by your Honor, 
subjecting themselves to the laws and regulations in force in txie 
Republic, the whole of the vacant lands of the Territory of Lower 
California, comprised between the thirty-first degree of North lati- 
tude to the Soatli, as far as twenty- four degrees twenty minutes 
North latitude, forming a right angle with the North ])(»int of the 
Island of San Jose, on the side of the Cxuif, embracing the Southern 



25 

portion of the Peninsula, from the said thirty-first degree of North 
latitude, a3 will be more clearly seen by the maps accompanying 
this petition ; and that it be, with all its limits, coasts, islands and 
pertenancies, privileges, exemptions, regalias and other rights, 
corporeal and incorporeal, and especially the lands and islands in 
the neighborhood of, adjacent to, and surrounding the Bay of 
Magdalena, with all their pertenances, privileges, exemptions, 
regalias and other rights, corporeal and incorporeal, excepting from 
the lands contained in said concession, all those portions and parts 
of the same, which, at any time anterior to the date of the conces- 
sion now asked for, may have been adjudicated, or conceded to any 
other persons, villas or incorporated pueblos, by any concession or 
title which may at present be legal. 

And the petitioners protest to your Honor, and to the Mexican 
Nation, that they will strictly and faithfully comply with all the 
laws of Colonization that are in force, to which they may be sub- 
ject by virtue of the said concession, and also all the rules which 
the same may impose upon the Company. 

They also set forth, that it will be necessary and indispensable, 
as well for the interest and benefits which will result to the Coun- 
try from this concession, as for the particular interest of the 
Company, that the Port of the Bay of Magdalena shall be open to 
the Commerce '■'■ de altitra'^ with all the privileges and exemptions 
enjoyed by all others of the Republic, saving the privileges which 
in particular are to be enjoyed by the Colonists ; and the Port of 
San Felipe, situated on the Gulf, in the 31st degree of North lati- 
tude, for the Coasting trade, submitting the utility of this propo- 
sition to the superior knowledge of your Honor, to the end that 
you may report to the Government the great importance of this 
measure to the National Treasury, the interest of the Colonists, 
and to the Peninsula in general. 

Wherefore, they pray your Honor, that in exercise of the 
powers with which you are invested, and in consideration of the 
effect it may have directly or indirectly upon the public confidence 
to be pleased to acoede to this petition, interposing :it the same 



■26 

time, your powerful influence with the Superior Government of 
the Territory and with the Supreme Government of the Nation, for 
the purpose of obtaining- from the same, as soon as possible, its 
superior approbation, by which your petitioners will receive a very 
particular favor, and the Territory and the Republic a powerful 
impulse in the advancement of its agriculture, commerce, popula- 
tion, riches and national strength. 



JACOB P LEESB, 
SANTIAGO VIOSOO. 



Port of La Paz, Mai-ch 11, 1803 



Agency of Fomento of Lower California : 

Let this petition be forwarded to the Citizen Political Chief of 
the Territory, in order that in conformity with the requirements of 
the circular, No. 102, dated June 9th, 1856. he may inform this 
Agency, if he considers the projected colonization advantageous or 
prejudicial to this Peninsula. 

La Paz, March 17th, 1863. 

By the encargado of the Agent of Fomonto. 

MAN'L CLEMENTO ROJO. 

Seal of the Political Gefefactuea of the Territoky. 

To the Citizen Agent of Fomento : 

In conformity with your resolution of the 17th instant, and in 
compliance with what is ordered in circular No. 102, of the 9th of 
June, 1856, I proceed to make the report that you desire upon the 
petition of Jacob P. Leese and Santiago Viosco, who for themselves, 
and representing many other persons, expressed in the same 
petition, present themselves, denouncing all the vacant lands 
situated between the 31st degree of North latitude to the south as 
far as 24 degrees 20 minutes, with latitude forming a right angle 



27 

with the north, point of the Island of San Jose, on the side of the 
gulf. 

The petition includes besides, all the coasts, islands and perte^ 
nances belonging to the Territory, situated within the degrees 
referred to. I have to remind you that in relation to the vacant 
lands that ixiay exist within the limits designated, from the '24th to 
the 27th degree, the extent must be small, especiaUy on the eastern 
side of the Peninsula, where are situated the municipalities of La 
Pa'^i, Oomondu and Muleg6, which comprehend all the space 
which is embraced by the lands between the 24:th and 27th de- 
grees and some minutes ; there are probably very little or no 
vacant lands in this portion, unless it may be a small portion on 
the western side. 

From the 27th degree of North Latitude, to the 3ist, the 
country is a desert, uninhabited, there being but three indians, 
exceodingly old, in the ex-mission of San Borgas, and I know not 
if there be any in I hat of San Fernando ; those are the only inhab- 
itants of that portion of country, from one coast of our Peninsula to 
the other. 

It would be useless to show the positive advantages which 
would result to the Government, and to the country in geneial, 
from the settlement of these deserts ; it is sufificicnt to say, that 
there may be established some pueblos of consideration, and the 
time would not be remote, as has been shown by experience, when 
there could be found within the bowels of the mountains of that 
region, mines of gold, silver and copper, so rich as to make this 
one of the most important points of the Republic, besides, it is 
necessary that, if the new settlements that are founded are to be 
composed entirely of foreign families, while it is true that it would 
contribute to the advancement of the country, yet it would, with 
reason, be resented by the Mexican citizens, who have an un- 
questionable right to establish themselves with their property, on 
any portion whatever of the vacant lands of the country. Hence, 
although up to this time the colonization of this part of the peninsula 
has not been commenced, perhaps for che want of enterprise among 



28 

our people, still the Government must provide for the case, and 
assure them of its protection, whenever the future success of the 
"Territory may stimulate in them a desire to acquire property in 
those points ; it is also necessary to provide in the concession against 
all eases that in time might give cause for unjust reclamations 
against the Government by foreign citizens. 

With this view of the matter, I am of opinion that the coloniza- 
tion referred to wUl be beneficial, yet, that the concession cannot be 
made, save under the following conditions : 

Ist. The empresarios shall colonize the vacant lands situated 
between the 24th and 27th degrees of latitude, respecting the 
properties previously acquired by Mexican citizens, although 
they may not have received confirmation of their titles, it being 
sufficient to entitle them to preference, that they have the possession, 
real, corporeal quasi, of the lands they claim ; this is understood in 
relation to the lands which were conceded or occupied before the 
Government may accede to this petition, but not to the occupations 
which may be made afterwards, in fraud and with prejudice to the 
same. 

2d, The land embraced between the 27th and 81st degrees of 
latitude wiU be conceded in all of its extent, for f e said colony, 
reserving in the same one-fourth part for the Mexican citizens, who 
may solicit the same in property. The same fourth part, the Mex- 
icans wiU also be entitled to, in Solares in all and each one of the 
new villages which may be established by the colonists 

8d. Of all the mines that may be discovered by the colonists, 
between the 27th and 31st degrees of latitude, five per cent, of the 
profits will be paid to the Government. 

4th. The colonists shall freely engage in whale fishing and seal 
hunting throughout the whole extent of both coasts of the Peninsula 
paying the duty that the Supreme Government may designate for 
every barrel or ton of oil. 



29 

^)ih. For every sc[uare league of land that may be occupied by 
the enterprise of colonization, there shall be paid at the i ate of two 
hundred and fifty dollars, this being the mean between the bad, the 
good and the best ; but the fourth part belonging to the Mexican 
citizens, shall be paid for by themselves, on their own account. 

6th. Of each one of the villages that may be established, there 
shall be drawn a plan, at the expense of the empresarios. a copy of 
which shall be forwarded to the Governor of the Territory for his 
information. 

7th. Within the term of five years, counting from the day on 
which the Supreme Government may approve and concede the 
colonization asked for, the empresarios shall introduce into the Terri- 
tory at least two hundred families of colonists. 

8th. The salt works (salinas) of the Island of Carmen, Ojo de 
Liebre attd San Uuintin, which are now being developed, shall not 
be conceded, nor those that in the future may be discovered, but 
they shall alw.iys be the exclusive property of the National Govern- 
ment, and in case the same shall rescind the contract which it has 
made for the sale of the Island and salt works of Carmen in favor of 
Don Fortunato de la Vega the empresarios, at the time of the 
approbation, which may be made by the Supreme Government of 
the colonization enterprise, will pay the sum of forty thousand dollars. 

9th. Upon the expiration of the time stipulated in the contracts 
entered into with the empresarios for the development of the Salinas 
of the Island of Carmen, with those of the Ojo de Liebre and San 
Quintin, the development will be made on account of the empre- 
sarios of the Colony, paying three dollars for every ton of salt that 
may be extracted, from which three dollars the empresarios wiU 
reserve twelve rials for the extinguishment of the debt of forty 
thousand dollars, which they are to pay the Government, in accord- 
ance with the foregoing article. 

When the debt shall have been extinguished, the empresarios 
of the colony will continue to work the Salinas of Carmen, Ojo de 



30 

Liebro and San Quintin for tlie term, of fifteen years, still paying 
three dollars for every ton of salt extracted. On the expiration of 
this term, the Govermnent will be at liberty to again lease the 
Salinas, either to the same empresarios, or to any others that may 
offer more advantageous terms. It being understood the improve- 
ments that may have been made by the empresarios in either of 
the said Salinas vs^ill remain to the benefit of the Goverment, at the 
expiration of the term of fifteen years above mentioned. 

10th. As soon as the Supreme Government may approve the 
project of colonization, the empresarios will advance the sum of 
three hundred thousand dollars on account of the value of the 
lands to be colonized, of which there will be paid into the General 
Treasury of Mexico, the sum of two hundred thousand dollars, 
and one hundred thousand dollars into the Treasury of this Terri- 
tory, to V)e employed in material improvements of the Country. 

11th. The Colonists will enjoy full religious liberty, and be 
entitled to all the rights and guarantees which the political consti- 
tution of the Republic of 1857 has declared to be the rights of 
man. 

12th. The colonists shall be at liberty to establish all institu- 
tions that they may consider as necessary for the development of 
intelligence, for the establishment of good and moral customs, and 
for all things relating to their interior government, respecting and 
subjecting themselves to the requirements of the constitution and 
general laws of the Eepublio. 

loth. The colonists cannot, m any case, make use of the right 
of foreigners in order to establish claims against the nation, in 
relation to the properties which may be conceded to them ; being 
required to subject themselves to the decisions of the Federal Tri- 
bunals, in any case in which they may be compelled to avail them- 
selves of their rights in order to obtain justice. 

14th. All clothing and every class of tools and utensils that are 
introduced for the exclusive use of the colonists, as well also as alj 



31 

provisions, and o her necessaries of life, shall be free of duty for 
the term of ten years. 

For the same time the colonists shall be exempt from all im- 
posts, and all other kinds of contributions. 

15th. The colonists shall always be excepted from serving in 
the army, unless they should voluntarily offer to do so, when the 
national honor is at stake, and they shall never be molested in the 
intestine revolutions which may arise ; but they may serve as a 
home guard, for the security which should exist in all of the new 
settlements that may be established, in order to preserve order 
among themselves. 

16 th. The colonists shall freely elect the local authorities which 
are to govern them, always obeying the authorities of the Territory 
in all cases where it may be necessary to apply to the same for 
relief in any matter. 

Article Transitory. Whenever the empresarios shall fail to com- 
ply with any one or more of the conditions herein stipulated, with- 
in the time and in the manner prescribed, the concession shall 
become null, and of no value or effect, even though the empresarios 
may have advanced the sum mentioned in article 8 and 10 of this 
report ; in which case the empresarios shall be indemnified for the 
forty thousand dollars mentioned in article 8, with the half of Lht' 
product of the Salinas for the time that may be necessary to dis- 
charge said sum ; and with twelve hundred square leagues between 
the t^Tth and 31st degrees of latitude, shall be paid the three hun- 
dred thousand dollars mentioned in article 10, it being understood, 
that at the expiration of twenty years, from the date of the ratifi- 
cation of this contract, no one of the empresarios can have more 
than three square leagues, but they can sell all the lands pertaining 
to the twelve hundred square leagues, taking care not to sell to one 
person more than three leagues. 

Under these conditions, I am of opinion that you can make the 
concession, making as a necessary condition, that the whole of this 



32 

contract may be seen, modified, amended or rejected by the Supreme 
Government, to which it will be forwarded for its approval or dis- 
approval. 

PEDEO M. NAVARRETTE. 
La Paz, March 26, 1863. 

A copy of the original on file in the office of this Agency of 
Fomento, from which it has been faithfully taken. 

MAN'L 0. ROJO. 
La Paz, March 28th. 1863. 

This is a copy of the Expediente on file in the office of this 
Agency. 

MAN'L 0. ROJO. 
La Paz, March Slst, 1863. 

Pedko Magana Navakretie, Superior Political Chief of the Terri- 
tory of Lower California : 

I certify, that the citizen, Manuel Clemente Rojo, is the officer 
in charge of the Agency of Fomento, and that the copy signed by 
him, is really authorized by the signature that he is accustomed to 
use in all of his official acts. 

PEDRO M. NAVARRETTE. 

LaPa^, March 31st, 1863. 

I, the undersigned, U. S. Consul for Lower California, do 
hereby certify, that the foregoing are the true and genuine signa- 
tures] of Manuel Rojo and Pedro M. Navarre tte, and a.^ such are 
entitled to full faith and credit, ' 

Given under my hand and the seal of this consulate, the 4th of 
April, A. D. 1863. 

F B. ELMER, 

U. S. Consul. 



33 

Agency of Fomej^to of Lower Califohnia. 
To the Citizen Minister : 

I have the honor to forward to you a copy authorized by myself, 
of the Expediente which has been formed in this Agency, in virtue 
of a petition of the Messrs. Jacob P. Leese and Santiago Viosco, 
who for themselves, and representing the Messrs. Samuel Hensley 
Samuel Brannan, John Parrott, A. B. Porbes, Henry E. Eobinson, 
S. W- Inge, E. Wakeman, W. Norris, John Sime, John Caperton, 
Jesse Holladay, Louis McLane, Jos. W. Winans, and Jos. H. 
Baird, solicit in colonization all the lands and all the islands, coasts 
and other things annexed, on both sides of this Peninsula, that are 
vacant, from the 31st degree North latitude, south as far as 24 
degrees 20 minutes of latitude. 

The petitioners ask that the Bay of Magdalena, on the western 
side of the Peninsula, and the ancient port of San Pelipe de Jesus, 
be declared ports, the first for commerce " alhira^^ and the second 
for coasting trade. 

For I his purpose the petitioners present a map with their peti- 
tion, embracing the country from Cape St. Lucas, as iar north as 
the 8"Jd degree of North latitude, of which map I enclose a copy, 
together with another on a large scale of the Bay of Magdalena. 

The re|iort given by the Citizen Political Chief of the Territory 
upon the subject is exact and important, and in my humble opinion 
the occasion is very propitious for procuring the emigration of 
industrious families to settle the deserts of Lower California. 

As the petitioners ask for a territory of colossal proportions, 
together with Islands and the opening of ports, which this Agency 
is not authorized to concede to any one, I have deemed it prudent 
without going beyond the scope of my authority, to form this 
expediante, in order that the Supreme Government, in view of the 
same, may accede to or deny the prayer of the petitioners. 

What I can assure you without fear or mistake is, that the 

individuals figuring in the body of the petition are almost all 

capitalists, and represent property exceeding in value ten Millions 

of Dollars ; some of them have Hved in the Republic and have 

3 



34 

strong sympathies with Mexico, especially Don Jacob P. Leese and 
Don Santiago Viosco, who aie married with Mexicans and have 
Mexican children. 

The present war in the United States of America has compelled 
the Government of that iicpubHc to impose such heavy contribu- 
tions upon capitalists, that many are of the opinion that if the 
present order of things continues, before the expiration of four 
years, the greater ] lortion of property owners will be ruined. 

This idea has been so prevalent in Upper California that a large 
majority of the men of fortune are endeavoring to secure their 
capital in different enterprizes on the coasts of Mexico ; from this 
cause during the last few months we have seen introduced in the 
Ports of Mazatlan, Gruaymas and Lower California a variety of 
machinery for mining purposes and for sugar canes, belonging to 
American citizens in San Francisco, new enterprizes calculated to 
give an impulse to the country in the various branches of industry^ 
especially that of mining, by means of large associations. 

Our Peninsula occupies for commerce a situation the most ad- 
vantageous that could be desired, situated between the Gulf of 
Cortez and the Pacific Ocean, having on both sides many secure 
ports and adjacent Islands, with a multitude of natural productions, 
among which may be enumerated salt, guano, the pearl oyster, 
whale, otters, seals and sea elephants, all in prodigious abundance. 

The lands of the Peninsula are generally of a very good quality, 
and although wanting in a supply of water, still with the aid of 
Artesian wells they will produce cotton, sugar cane, coffee, the 
vine, the oHve, wheat, and indeed aU kinds of grain ; the greater 
portions of the mountains are full of veins of the minerals of gold, 
silver, copper and iron, volcano of sulphur being also found. 

All this. Citizen Minister, proves that Lower California is a 
country privileged by nature, and that when it shall receive the 
aid of industrious hands, far from living, as now, at the expense of 
the national Treasury, it will arise from its present prostrate con- 
dition, and become a country, rich, flourishing and happy. 

Liberty and Reform. 

MANUEL CLEMENTE EOJO. 
La Paz, Marcli 31st 1863. 



35 

This is a copy of the original, wliich I certify is being on file in 
tlie archives of this Agency. 

MAN'L 0. EOJO. 
La Paz, March 31st, 1863. 

Agemy of Fomento of Lower California. 

Pedeo Magaba Navaeette, Superior Political Chief of the Ter- 
ritory of Lower California. 

I certify that the Citizen Manuel Clemeiite Eojo, is the officer 
encharged with the office of the Agency of improvement, and that 
the copy signed by him, is really authorized by the signature which 
he is accustomed to use in all o^ his official acts. 

La Paz, March Slst, 1863. 

PEDEO M. NAVAEEETTE. 

I, the undersigned, U. S. Consul for Lower California, do hereby 
certify, that the foregoing are the true and genuine signatures of 
Manuel Eojo and Pedro M. Navarette, and as such are entitled to 
full faith and credit. Given under ray hand and seal this 3d day of 
April, A.D., 1863. 

P. B. ELMEE, 

U. S. Consul. 



36 



(TRAlSrSLATION.) 



/^ Department of the -, 
/ Minister of Justice, Im- i 

1 PROVEMENT AND PuBLIC / 

X- Instbuciion. 



A report having been made at a meeting of the Ministers, of the 
business in relation to the colonization of Lower California, the 
citizen President of the Republic was pleased to direct, that although 
the propositions made by Don Severino Comis and Don Santiago 
Hervetson are more advantageous than yours, in respect to the sum 
which they offer to deliver to the Supreme Government, yet as on 
one side there is given no guarantee of any kind whatsoever, that 
the business \y^ill be carried into effect, and on the other side is to be 
taken into consideration the fact of the probabilities of the coloni- 
zation of Lower California, rather than motives of pecuniary interest, 
preference should be given to the propositions offered by you, by rea- 
son of the circumstance of their being made in the name of a company 
already formed and composed, according to the testimony of the 
Agent of Foinento (improvements) of lower California, of persons 
almost all of whom are capitalists, and represent the amount of moi*e 
than ten millions of dollars, some of whom having lived in the Ter- 
ritory of the Republic, and manifested strong sympathies for Mexico, 
and others having wives and children that are Mexicans ; whilst the 
other propositions of Messrs. Comis & Hervetson give to understand 
that they two, alone, form the company charged with the coloniza- 
tion of California, and that for the same reason it would be after 
they had obtained the grant from the Government that they would 
endeavor to seek the necessary partners for the realization of the 
enterprise. 

In view of all of which, the citizen President has directed that 
the propositions of Messrs. Comis & Hervetson be not accepted, and 
that those made by yourself be accepted, and the terms of the defi- 



37 

nite arrangement which is going to be entered into being already 
:agreed by both parties, and are such as appear in the annexed draft. 

Independence, Liberty and E.eform. 

(Signed) YGLESIAS. 

Saltillo, March 30, 1864. 

C. Jacob P. Leese, 

Present. 



The citizen Jos6 Ma. Yglesias, Minister of Pomento of the Mexi- 
can Republic, with the previous express direction of the citizen, the 
Constitutional President of the same, and Jacob P. Leese, a citizen 
of the United States of America, in the name of the partners who 
compose the Company of Colonization of Lower California, have 
agreed to the following clauses for the colonization of the vacant 
lands of the Peninsula, from 31 degrees of latitude North in the 
direction of the South to 24 degrees and twenty minutes of latitude ; 

1st. The " empresarios" (managers) will colonize the respective 
vacant lands of that tract, respecting the property previously acquired 
by Mexican citizens by birth, whether they have or not the contir- 
mation for their titles, the real corporeal occupation or quasi occupa- 
tion of the lands which they may claim being sufficient to give them 
preference, this being understood with regard to the property granted 
before the Goverment complied with this petition, but not so with 
the occupations that might be made afterwai'ds, with fraud, to the 
prejudice of the same. 

2d, The lands comprehended between the twenty-seventh degree 
and the thirty-first of latitude, are gratited in all their extent for the 



38 

claimed colony, reserving therein one -fourth part for Mexican citizens 
by birth who might solicit the property thereof. These will also 
have one-fourth part in the lots in all and each of the new towns 
which might be foimded by the colonists, 

3d. All the minerals, of whatsoever class, that may be found in the 
granted vacant lands, will be worked by the colonists in accordance 
with the provisions of the ordinances and laws in force in the Re- 
public in reference to mining operations. 

4th. In relation to the fishery of whales and seals in all the 
extent of the coast of the peninsula, the colonists will subject them- 
selves likewise to the provisions of the respective laws in the matter. 

5th. Every '• Sitio de ganado mayor" (square league) that shall 
be occupied by the Company of Colonization, will be paid for at the 
rate of one-third part less than the price of the tariff, as a mean term 
among the bad, the good and the best. The fourth part that may 
correspond to the Mexican citizens by birth, will be paid for by them, 
on their own account. 

6th. Of each one of the towns that may be in the progress of 
being founded, there will be made a plan on account of the "empre- 
sarios," of which a copy will be forwarded to the office of the Min- 
ister of Fomento, and another to the Government of the Territory 
of Lower California, for the cognizance thereof. 

7th. Within the term of five years, reckoned from the day of 
the approval of this project of colonization, the " empresarios" will 
introduce in the territory, two hundred colonizing families at least. 

8th. The salt works of the "Ojo de Liebre" and "San Quintin," 
which at present are rented by the Government, when the existing 
contract shall have expired, will be rented to said Colony for the 
term of twenty years, with the condition that there will be paid to 
the Government twenty rials per ton, of salt that shall be exported 
from the salt works aforesaid. 



39 

9tli. The colonists shall enjoy liberty of religious worship and 
the rights ;md guarantees wliich the political constitution of the 
Eepnblic of 1857 has declared as the rights of man. 

10th. The colonists sliall be independent in their municipal ad- 
ministration, in virtue of which they will be empowered to freely 
frame all rlie institutions they may consider proper for the devel- 
opment of their intelligence, and of their morals and good manners; 
to make regulations for the Government of their respective munici- 
palities, provided they do not conflict with the Constitution and 
general laws of the Republic; to freely elect their authorities; 
establish municipal taxes and promote and exeeute all the material 
improvements proper to the welfare of the colonies, simply giving 
information of all to the Political Chief of the Territory, and subject- 
ing themselves to the obedience of the authority thereof, in all 
those things wherein it might be necessary to apply thereto, and ask 
relief for any of the parties. 

11th. As soon .IS the colonists shall be established in any part of 
the Territory, they will be considered as Mexican citizens, with the 
same rights and obligations as Mexican citizens by birth, and only 
with the temporary exemptions which are granted to them to ensure 
the foundation of the colonies. 

12th. All the effects of wearing apparel, all classes of iron tools 
that might be introduced for the exclusive use of the colonies, as 
well as all the provisions and things necessary to preserve life, shall 
be free from duties for the term of ten years. 

13th. For an equal period of time shall the colonists be exempt 
from paying for all classes of imposts and taxes, except the muni- 
cipal contributions which they themselves may establish. 

14th. The Colonist are exempt for five years from service in the 
National army; but after that time, they will render their services 
therein, like all the other Mexican Citizens, with entire subjection 
to the provisions of the recruiting laws. The said Colonists will 
be under the obligation of serving in the National Guard of each 
one of the towns they may establish, with the view of keeping order 
in them. 



40 

15th. Twenty years after the foundation of the Colonies, the 
lands which are granted to the "empresarios" must be divided in 
such a manner that each Colonist may not possess more than three 
square leagues. 

16th. The " empresarios" will advance the sura of one hun- 
dred thousand dollars, on account of the price of the lands they are 
to Colonize, delivering at the term of one hundred and twenty days 
after signing this agreement, the said sum, in American gold, in San 
Francisco, California, to the Mexican Consul at that pdrt, or to the 
person whom the Supreme Grovernment may opportunely designate. 
17 th. If the "empresarios" should not fulfil some or any of the 
conditions stipulated in the time and form prescribed, the conces- 
sion shall he null and void and of no effect, e\'en though they had 
delivered the sum advanced, which is spoken of in the preceding 
article, in which case they will be indemnified with five hundred 
square leagues (Sitios de ganado mayor) between the twenty- 
seventh and thirty-first degrees of latitude, with the particular un- 
derstanding that at the term of twenty years from the ratification 
of this contract, none of the empresarios will be able to liold more 
than three Sitios in property, each of them being authorized to sell 
within the term of twenty years, all the lands that may properly ap- 
pertain to them, but with the condition of not giving more than 
three " Sitios de ganado mayor" to one sole person, 

18th. Within four months from the signing of this agreement, 
the representative of the Colonizing Company of Lower California 
shall present himself to ratify and accept in the name of said Com- 
pany all and each one of the clauses contained in the said agree- 
ment, in order that from that time it may be obligatory on the part 
of the Company, in the name of which Mr. Leese has made the said 
agreement. 

In due witness whereof we sign the present agreement in dupli- 
cate, at the City of Saltillo, the Capital of the State of Coahuila, on 
the thirteenth day of the month of March, One thousand eight hun- 
dred and sixty-four. 

(Signed) JOSE M. YGLESIAS, 
JACOB P. LEESE. 



41 



THE OPINION OF Hon. EOBEET J. WALKER. 

New York, Jan. 25, 1865. 

SiE : — I have examined the paper submitted by you, purporting 
to be a copy of a Colonization grant by the Republic of Mexico, on 
the 30th of March last, for tlie vacant lands in so much of the Penin- 
sula of Lower California as is embraced between the parallels of 
thirty-one degrees and twenty-four degrees twenty minutes North 
latitude. 

In compliance with your request, I proceed to give you my 
opinion as regards the title. 

The grant, in my judgment, is in conformity with the laws of 
Mexico, and is valid, subject to the following contingencies: 

Ist. Did the Republic of Mexico exist as a Government at the 
date of the grant ? 

At that date, the G-overnment of Mexico by which the grant 
was made, was then and still is acknowledged in due form by the 
President and Congress of the United States, as the only existing 
Q-overnment of Mexico. 

It has been decided by the Supreme Court of the United States, 
that such an acknowledgment is conclusive in all our judicial tribu- 
nals, and therefore so far as our Country is concerned, the grant is 
vahd. 

How far this grant would be regarded as valid by Mexico, is 
a question to be decided probably by the sword. If the Imparial 
usurpation by Maximillian, sustained by foreign bayonets, should be 
successful, this grant would probably not be protected by such a 
Q-overnment. It is my opinion, however, that such a usurpation is 
in direct conflict with the settled policy of this country. It is now 
forty years since, upon the unanimous recommendation of his Cabi- 
net, of which John diincy Adams was then the Premier, that this 
doctrine was aimounced in the memorable message of James 
Monroe, then President of the United States, and was sustained, 
with great unanimity, by Congress and the Country. 



42 

This doctrine was first suggested to Bichard Eush, then our 
excellent Minister at the Court of St. James, by the illustrious Can- 
ning, then the British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Mr. 
Eush communicated this suggestion of Mr. Canning, with his con- 
sent, to John Quincy Adams, then our Secretary of State, when, 
upon his recommendation and that of all the Cabinet, the doctrine 
was announced by President Monroe. 

That this doctrine is approved by an overwhelming majority of 
the American people, and that when our rebellion is crushed, it will 
be enforced in Mexico, is now and always has been my firm convic- 
tion. 

In that event the validity of the grant would be unquestionable. 
The same result would undoubtedly follow if tbe French Imperial 
usurpation should be overthrown, without our aid, by the Eepublic 
of Mexico. 

2d. As to the conditions of this grant, under all the circumstan- 
ces, and in view of the state of affaiis in Mexico, time would not be 
regarded as of the essence of the grant. If, however, you can 
have access now to the President of the Eepublic of Mexico, I 
would advise that an extension of time should be obtained from 
him. But if you cannot reach him now, I would advise, that favor- 
able action, to the extent of their power, should be obtained from 
the Mexican Consul referred to in the grant, and also from the able 
and patriotic Minister of the Eepublic of Mexico at Washington. 

It is so clearly the interest and wish of our sister Eepublic of 
Mexico that this grant should be carried into eflFect, that I believe 
any reasonable extension of time would be cheerfully given by that 
Government. 

Yours very respectfully, 

(Signed) E. J. WALKEE. 

To Col. Jacob P. Leese, of California, 
Care H(»n. Charles D. Poston, 69 Broadway, New-York. 



43 



Consulate of Mexico 
IN San Fkancisco. 



Under date of the 16th of May last, the Minister of Foreign 
Eelations and of Government writes to me as follows : 

" By way of Alamos in the State of Sonora, and among the cor- 
respondence brought by ttie last steamer to Ghiaymas, I have received 
the duplicate of your note of the 1st of April of this year, relative 
to the contract concluded hy Mr. Jacob P. Leese with the Supreme 
Q-overniTient, on the 30th May, 1864, with reference to the coloniza- 
tion of certnin lands in Lower California. 

" As I have already made known to you before, in consequence 
of the solicitude made by Mr. Charles D. Poston in Washington, as 
the representative of the enterprize of Mr. Leese, the Citizen Presi- 
dent of the Republic accorded some months since, that through the 
Department of Fromento, the Citizen Matias Eomero, Minister 
Plenipotentiary of Mexico in Washington, should be authorized to 
concede an extension of the term fixed, which he was advised had 
been conceded, and which new extension has also, I believe, already 
terminated. This afifair remains, therefore, confided to the Citizen 
Minister Plenipotentiary, with full powers to treat regarding the 
same ; and for this reason I have limited myself to sending a copy 
of your note to the Department of Fomento, transcribing to you this 
reply for your information," 

And I transcribe the same to you as the result of the petition 
made by you for an extension of time, and sustained by me before 
the Supreme Goveinment. 

Independence and Liberty. 

San Feancisoo, July 26, 1865. 

(Signed) JOSE A. GODOY. 

To Mr. Jacob P. Leese, New- York. 



44 

Mexican Le&atioit ) 

In the United States or America. ^ 

New-Toek, Nov. 10, 1865. 

In reply to your comuiunication undei" date of 7th inst., in which 
you propose the revaliditation of tlie concession which the Govern- 
ment of the Eepublic of Mexico made to yourself and your associ- 
ates on the 30th of March, 1864, with reference to colonization in 
Lower California, I make known to you that I hereby revaliditate 
said concession, with the precise condition that if within six months 
counted from this date, there shall not have been obtained the One 
Hundred Thousand Dollars in G-old which are to be deli\ ered to the 
Mexican G-overnnient, all of your rights which are revived by vii-tue 
of the present revaliditation, shall determine and expire, and without 
the deliveiy of any part of the snid sum altering this determination 
in any manner whatever. All of which I declare in use of the fac- 
ulties and instructions which have been given to me by my Govern- 
ment with reference to the affair, 

I repeat to you the assurances of my consideration. 

(Signed) M. ROMERO. 

To Jacob P. Leese, Esq. 



Sll^is ^nbmttta, made the thirteenth day of November, one 
thousand eight hundred and sixty-ftve, bdhjtzn Jacob P. Leesb 
of Monterey, California, of the first part, and The Mexican^ Minin& 
AND Colonization Company, a corporation formed and existing under 
the laws of the State of New York, of the second part, WSiitntSStt^, 
that said party of the first part, in consideration of the sum of Ten 
Mjllions of Dollars to him in hand paid, has, and by these pre- 
sents does grant, bai'gain and sell, convey, remise and release unto 
said party of the second part, all of that part of the peninsula of 
Lower California which lies between the thirty-first degree of north 
latitude on the North, and the twenty-fourth degree and twentieth 



45 

minute of north latitude on the South, and extending from the 
Pacific Ocean on the West into the Gulf of California on the East, 
together with all sounds, bays, harbors, seas, straits, and land there- 
under, and all islands and fisheries of every kind within said limits, 
or by virtue of sovereignty belonging thereto, and all mines, min- 
erals, precious metals and stones thereon or therein, and especially 
embracing herein all lands and islands in the neighborhood of, adja- 
cent to and surrounding the Bay of Magdalena, and the said bay, 
and all other property and interests, and all rights, privileges, 
franchises, liberties, benefits and powers conveyed, conceded or 
granted to said party of the first part, in and by a certain instrument 
of contract, grant or concession, made to the party of the first part 
by the Mexican Government, at Saltillo, in the State of Coahuila, 
in Mexico. March 30tli, 1864, signed by the Minister of Fomento 
Yglesias, and a copy whereof is hereto annexed and marked "A," 
and which is hereby, for purposes of description of what is hereby 
conveyed or intended to be conveyed, made a part hereof and refer- 
ence thereunto fully had; to ^ak a«b to \io\)i all of the above de- 
scribed, unto the said party of the second part, its successors and 
assigns forever. 

|« Wiitm&B WSil^tuaf, the said party of the first part has hereunto 
set his hand and seal the day and year first above written. 

JACOB P. LEESE. 
Sealed and delivered in the \ 
presence of j 

Albert H. Almt, 
Chaeles D. Poston. 



The necessary arrangements having been made with the Mexican 
Minister, " The Mexican Mining and Colonization Company " has 
been organized with a Capital Stock of 100,000 Shares of $100 
each, which have been issued in full payment for the property — 



46 

50,ooo shares of which have been returned to the Company for 
working capital ; thus making the entire capital stock full paid and 
unassessable. 

The working capital will be devoted to stimulatingthe enterprise 
by sales, colonization and development. 

The undersigned having undertaken the negotiation of the above 
enterprise, are prepared to sell any of the lands or franchises em- 
braced in the grant, including bays, islands, harbors, mines, fisheries 
and salines, — or stock representing the same. 

THE AMERICAN TRADING COMPANY, 

•69 Broadway, New York. 



jsp?:#>- 1 



HISTORICAL OUTLINE 



LOWER CALIFORNIA, 



COMPILED BY 



'h^ 






NE"W YORK, DECEMBER, 1865. 



i£b|Tork: 

E. S. DODGE & CO., BOOK AND .. OB PlilNTERS, 84 JOHN STREET. 



